諸經要集 19.32

19.32

The commentary states: Having given instructions as above, one should further bring sūtras and statues to the patient's place, announce the titles of the sūtras and the names of the statues, and explain and show them, causing the patient to open their eyes and behold them, thereby awakening them. Moreover, invite people of virtue and wisdom to recite the Mahāyāna and assist in raising praises and hymns. Let banners and flowers flutter and twirl before their eyes, and the fragrant scent waft abundantly to regularly bathe their organ of smell. Always speak good words to them and never convey bad words. Because at the end of life, many signs of bad karma appear and one cannot maintain one's resolve to expel them, the caregiver attending the sick must especially use skillful means to guide and encourage them, causing thought after thought to continue without halting for an instant, so that by the power of this merit they form the aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land. Therefore the *Mahāprajñāpāramitopadeśa* states: "One who did good throughout life but has an evil thought at the end of life will be born in an evil destination; one who did evil throughout life but has a good thought at the end of life will be born in the heavens." The *Vimalakīrti-sūtra* also states: "Recall the merit you have cultivated, and be mindful of pure livelihood."